Cherokee from the sky

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The final day of practice on Cherokee Lake began with a thick layer of fog covering the water like a blanket.
The final day of practice on Cherokee Lake began with a thick layer of fog covering the water like a blanket.
This was the anglers final opportunity to locate a tournament winning area before Thursday's competition.
This was the anglers final opportunity to locate a tournament winning area before Thursday’s competition.
We found anglers working their way along the bank shallow, while others made their way out a bit deeper.
We found anglers working their way along the bank shallow, while others made their way out a bit deeper.
As the morning went on the fog began to slowly dissipate.
As the morning went on the fog began to slowly dissipate.
David Walker checks out a few locations along a rocky point.
David Walker checks out a few locations along a rocky point.
With the water down a ways, much of the bank is left exposed and almost resembles another planet.
With the water down a ways, much of the bank is left exposed and almost resembles another planet.
From the air, the water looks relatively clean, but with wind in the forecast that could all change.
From the air, the water looks relatively clean, but with wind in the forecast that could all change.
Chad Morgenthaler works his way around the lake, while simultaneously dropping waypoints on the locations he plans to fish.
Chad Morgenthaler works his way around the lake, while simultaneously dropping waypoints on the locations he plans to fish.
With the fog blowing off much more of the lake we can now start to see how beautiful this place is.
With the fog blowing off much more of the lake we can now start to see how beautiful this place is.
With its many islands and points Cherokee Lake has over 400 miles of fishable shoreline.
With its many islands and points Cherokee Lake has over 400 miles of fishable shoreline.
In a normal year the water level in Cherokee Lake can vary as much as 27 feet! Many of the small islands currently visible would be completely submerged.
In a normal year the water level in Cherokee Lake can vary as much as 27 feet! Many of the small islands currently visible would be completely submerged.
With some wind in Thursday's forecast, will anglers head for some of the sheltered pockets and creeks?
With some wind in Thursday’s forecast, will anglers head for some of the sheltered pockets and creeks?
The blues and greens of the lake water mixed with the bright, warm colors of the exposed beach are indescribable. The view in this location was so great that a couple of catfish decided to put their homes here. You can just make out the red color of the man made homes on the sand, although we’d be surprised if there were any cats home right now!
The blues and greens of the lake water mixed with the bright, warm colors of the exposed beach are indescribable. The view in this location was so great that a couple of catfish decided to put their homes here. You can just make out the red color of the man made homes on the sand, although we’d be surprised if there were any cats home right now!
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Stetson Blaylock spot hops to find the motherload!
Bassmaster Elite Series rookie Stetson Blaylock spot hops to find the motherload!
Time to move.
Time to move.
Several creeks and rivers flow into Cherokee Lake, this one had several waterfalls built up before it emptied into the main lake.
Several creeks and rivers flow into Cherokee Lake, this one had several waterfalls built up before it emptied into the main lake.
Will the deeper bite be a player during this event? Several anglers seem to think so as they stare at their graphs and drops their baits to the depths.
Will the deeper bite be a player during this event? Several anglers seem to think so as they stare at their graphs and drops their baits to the depths.
From high in the air we can see a few anglers grouped up among some islands.
From high in the air we can see a few anglers grouped up among some islands.
Those same islands become much smaller as the water rises. All the beach below would be flooded.
Those same islands become much smaller as the water rises. All the beach below would be flooded.
One of the anglers in the small cluster decides to make a move.
One of the anglers in the small cluster decides to make a move.
With calm winds and the temperature climbing we soaked in the sun’s warmth before Thursday's cold begins.
With calm winds and the temperature climbing we soaked in the sun’s warmth before Thursday’s cold begins.
We located Jacob Wheeler and Chris Zaldain graphing and fishing between a few islands.
We located Jacob Wheeler and Chris Zaldain graphing and fishing between a few islands.
Time to head for shore!
Time to head for shore!